Psalm 71 – Shame
Reflecting on the first line of psalm 71, the word shame struck me. Why might the writer experience shame? What does Psalm 71 – shame, have to teach us?
Psalm 71
Psalm 71 – no shame, begins with a cry to God to not let him be put to shame.
“In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.” (1)
The psalmist goes on to ask God to rescue him and be his rock, a common metaphor for God’s strength and safety.
“In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me.
Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go.” (2-3)
He reminds God how he has relied on God throughout his life, even since his birth. He faith has been tested throughout his life.
“For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.
From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.” (5-6)
He describes the nature of the attack against him, asking God to not forsake him in his old age.
“Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.
They say, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.”
Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me.
May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace.” (9-13)
The writer prays for God to bring his attackers to a shameful end; that they experience the wicked they sought to do to him.
Wisdom that Comes from Experience
The writer of this psalm has wisdom that come from experience. That gives him the confidence to call upon God, certain that God will hear his pleas.
“Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.” (17-18)
He reflects back on his life and recognizes that God has rescued him in the past and will again.
“Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth, you will again bring me up.
You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.” (20-21)
The psalm ends with words of praise.
“My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you—I whom you have delivered.
My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.” (23-24)
God answered his prayer, bringing shame to his attackers.
Shame
According to Webster, shame is: 1 a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety: the susceptibility to such emotion; 2. a condition of humiliating disgrace or disrepute, ignominy; 3. something that brings censure or reproach also:something to be regretted, pity.
Shame can involve the feeling that you are fundamentally flawed. Where guilt comes from doing something wrong, shame involves your whole being. You feel worthless, the object of pity.
Ninth Stage of Development
Erick and Joan Erickson together developed the eight stages of psycho-social development. After Erick’s death at 92, Joan developed a ninth stage – very old age. In this stage, we revisit all of the crisis points of the eight stages. With the physical decline that comes with aging, the elderly re-confront the first crisis of trust versus mistrust as they learn they can no longer trust their bodies to do what they previously did or take them where they want to go.
The basic conflict of the second stage of Erick Erickson’s stages of development is autonomy versus shame/doubt. Elderly adults may experience shame or doubt as they lose their autonomy. They fight with their loved ones and try to remain independent even when it is no longer feasible, resulting in more shame. They can begin to feel worthless.
Psalm 71 – Shame
While Psalm 71 – shame, offers guidance to all age groups, it is particularly helpful for those who are aging. They have the wisdom that comes from experience, yet can be prone to feelings of shame. Shame they may have overcome in their youth, comes barreling back as they push back at their loved ones, try to assert their authority over their own bodies even as those bodies betray them.
In the end, God calls them and us to do as the psalmist does: to reach out with confidence born of the years and with humility, trusting that God who rescued us in the past, will do so again. That our God who turned over the tables in the Temple and continues to overthrow the mighty and lift up the poor, will again turn over the tables and bring shame to those who seek to shame us. And that we are of great value in God’s eyes, not worthless.
Are you experiencing shame? Do the words of the psalmist help you?
(For another look at this psalm, check out Psalm 71 – Grow Old with the Lord! – Patricia M Robertson and Psalm 71: Go Gray or Go Home! – Patricia M Robertson)
This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and receive a free copy of Still Dancing, the second book in my Dancing through Life Series. click here to sign up
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